Pediatric Physicians Keeping Your Children Healthy

Make sure your children are healthy, safe, and strong by bringing them to a pediatric physician at SV Professional Center. Our pediatric clinic features a number of qualified professionals specializing in the latest medical care techniques and knowledge. When you’re in need of dental or pediatric care, our clinic is your top choice.

One of the most important things to keep in mind when treating your child’s illness is that they have drastically different medication requirements based on their development and weight. You should contact your pediatrician if symptoms do not improve within five days for pain or three days for fever.

With all of the coverage in the news about the Zika virus lately, it is understandable that parents have questions. Here are the facts you need to know about this virus.

What is Zika?Zika is a virus that can cause the following symptoms:

Rash

Fever

Pink eye (conjunctivitis)

Joint pain

Symptoms usually clear up in less than a week, are mild, and rarely require hospitalization.
Health officials, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), are now seeing that Zika may be dangerous to pregnant women and their babies. There appears to be a connection between this recent outbreak of Zika and an increase in a condition called microcephaly in which babies are born with usually small heads.

How Does Zika Spread?Mosquitoes can carry Zika from person to person. If a pregnant woman is infected, the Zika virus can be transmitted to her baby while she is pregnant or around the time of birth.
Very recently, Brazil has reported an increase in infants born with microcephaly occurring at the same time as an outbreak of Zika virus in that country. It is currently not known if the increase in microcephaly cases is directly caused by Zika. Studies are being done to learn more about the connection between Zika and microcephaly or if other factors are involved.

How Much Acetaminophen Should I Give My Child?

When treating pain or fever, acetaminophen, also known as Tylenol™, is often the first line of defense. There are many different formulations of this medication, however, and dosages vary based on the strength of the medicine as well as your child’s weight. This medication should not be given more often than every four hours. Our pediatric clinic recommends the following dosages based on your child’s weight and the type of acetaminophen:

Child’s

Infant’s

Suspension Liquid

(160 mg / 5ml)

Children’s

Suspension Liquid

(160 mg / 5ml)

Soft Chews Chewable Tabs

(80 mg each)

Junior Strength Chew Tabs

(160 mg each)

Weight

Tablet

Tablet

6 – 11 lbs

¼ tsp

¼ tsp

12 – 17 lbs

½ tsp

½ tsp

18 – 23 lbs

¾ tsp

¾ tsp

24 – 35 lbs

1 tsp

1 tsp

2

36 – 47 lbs

1 ½ tsp

1 ½ tsp

3

48 – 59 lbs

2 tsp

2 tsp

4

2

60 – 71 lbs

2 ½ tsp

2 ½ tsp

5

2 ½

72 – 95 lbs

3 tsp

3 tsp

6

3

96 lbs & over

4

How Much Ibuprofen Should I Give My Child?

Ibuprofen, also known as Advil™ or Motrin™, is another pain and fever medication. You must not use this medication for infants younger than six months, with dosages no more than every six hours. If your child’s fever is persistently higher than 102 degrees, contact our pediatric services clinic for instructions. We recommend the following dosage instructions:

Child’s

Infant Drops

(50 mg / 1.25 ml)

Children’s Suspension Liquid

(100 mg / tsp)

Soft Chews Chewable Tabs (50 mg each)

Junior Strength Chew Tabs / Caps

(100 mg each)

Weight

Amount

Teaspoon

Tablet

Tab / Caplet

12 – 17 lbs

1.25 ml

½ tsp

18 – 23 lbs

1.875 ml

¾ tsp

24 – 35 lbs

1 tsp

2

36 – 47 lbs

1 ½ tsp

3

48 – 59 lbs

2 tsp

4

2

60 – 71 lbs

2 ½ tsp

5

2 ½

72 – 95 lbs

3 tsp

6

3

How Much Benadryl Should I Give My Child?

Benadryl™ or diphenhydramine is an allergy medication that has a sedative effect on many people. Because of this effect, it must not be used in children under the age of one. The maximum dose is 50 mg for adults, and should not be used more often than every six hours. Our pediatric care providers recommend the following dosages:

Child’s Weight

Dosage

(total amount)

Liquid

(12.5 mg / tsp)

Chewable Tabs (12.5 mg each)

Adult Tabs / Capsules

(25 mg each)

22 – 32 lbs

10 mg

¾ tsp

33 – 43 lbs

12.5 mg

1 tsp

1

44 – 54 lbs

20 mg

1 ½ tsp

1 ½

55 – 109 lbs

25 mg

2 tsp

2

1

110 lbs and up

50 mg

4

2

When to Use Over-the-Counter Cough Suppressants

Due to the high risk of overdose and negative side effects, our pediatric clinic does not recommend using cold medicine in children without our supervision and instruction. Coughing is a natural reflex that our bodies use to clear debris from our lungs and using cough suppressants may be detrimental. Cough medicines should not be used unless absolutely needed so that the child can get to sleep at night. Infants under the age of two should never have cough suppressants due to their increased risk of lung complications.

Frequently Asked Questions

When is my child due for his/her next well visit?

We recommend at least a yearly visit. Not only is it very important for your child’s health, but it may be the only time we can ensure that they are up-to-date on their vaccines. Take a look at our Vaccine Schedule to make sure your child is up-to-date on immunizations.

Does my child have asthma?

It can be very difficult to determine if your child has asthma, but we treat any wheezing episodes seriously and aggressively. Many medications and dosages can be difficult and confusing to remember. Please make sure that you understand how to help your child. We often write down instructions to help you remember what medication to give and at what times. Below is a list of useful asthma facts as well as an asthma care plan to have your doctor complete

Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen: How much to give for fever control?

You can control your child’s fever with acetaminophen (Tylenol) and Ibuprofen (Motrin/Advil). They are different medications that act at different areas. You can alternate the different medications every THREE hours. Remember that although fever is rarely life threatening, any signs that make you suspect serious illness should get immediate medical attention. If it is not an emergency, you can use our dosing chart to help control the fever until your child is evaluated.

What is next for my child?

What should your child be doing? How can you help them? Are they acting normal? Should you be concerned? To answer these questions and more, please see our practical guide to what is around the corner.